Supported options after school

Once you leave school may be eligible for some support to help you gain the skills you need to get a job, become more independent or take up further study.

Until the NDIS takes over, each state has a separate system for assisting school leavers and young people with a disability. We have a detailed description of the NSW programs here and below that are links to the programs run in the other states.

NDIS-Supported Options

If you are accessing this website for yourself, SLES is likely to be the better fit for you. You can read about Community Participation on the parent tab.

There are eligibility criteria for these programs. Your learning support teachers can assist you with more details on the options and on the application process.

For further information

Studio G

Autism Queensland has a post school program for young people with high functioning autism called Studio G. Young people can be mentored in many different creative and technical areas and can use their support funding to cover costs.

In the future, we are sure that most autism specific programs will come online, specialising in areas where our kids often show great strengths.

Choosing a service provider

The website My Choice Matters has a useful list of things to think about when choosing service providers, find it here.

Supported options after school

Until the NDIS takes over, each state has a separate system for assisting school leavers and young people with a disability. We have a detailed description of the NSW programs here and below that are links to the programs run in the other states.

In NSW, if your son or daughter is not heading to independent study or to work straight after school, there are two supported programs offered as NDIS-supported options.

One is called Community Participation and the other is School Leaver Employment Supports.

If your child’s school learning support teachers think he or she would benefit from support after school, they will be able to assist you with more details on the options and on application.

We have included some information below about the programs and some feedback from parents whose children have undertaken these programs.

Community Participation

This program is aimed at young people with moderate to high support needs who are not planning to seek employment or further study straight after school. Young people learn new skills and enjoy activities which aim to increase independence.

You can start a Community Participation program straight after school or within two years of leaving. You can work or study part time whilst doing a Community Participation program.

24 hours of support is offered to people with moderate to high support needs and 30 hours to people with very high support needs.

Some service providers may charge a small fee to participants. There are different options for the way a Community Participation program may operate:

Centre Based With Community Access

You participate in small group activities at a centre and within the local community.

Individual Community Based Options

A service manager assists you to choose activities within the community.

Self Managed Model

You and your family/carers select and purchase recreational and educational activities with the help of an intermediary service provider.

You can use the money allocated to employ people to work with you, to pay for classes and courses and to do other activities that you enjoy.

Young people doing Community Participation have an Individual Plan which looks at their goals, skills, the activities they will do and the supports needed. Health and wellbeing goals are an important part of your child’s Plan. This is reviewed every six months.

How to apply

To apply for this program as a school leaver:

Register interest at school which should have a designated transition teacher

With the transition teacher, and a parent or carer if desired, the young person completes a screening tool. This asks questions about daily living skills, behaviour and functioning. ADHC uses the results of this screening tool to determine whether he or she can access Community Participation

Once the young person has been accepted as eligible, they need to start the program within two years. If the application is successful then a provider needs to be chosen. If the application is unsuccessful, the young person does have the right to appeal

Choose a Program provider. The school transition teacher can help, you and your young person may be able to attend an expo where providers can explain in person what they offer. (Read about one and see some photos here.)

Start the Program. This involves developing a Plan which looks at goals, skills and support needs and then develops methods and strategies for goals to be achieved. This Plan is reviewed to see how skills are developing and whether the young person is gaining the skills and experience needed. It is possible to change providers during the two years of your program.

Young people may also be able to access support from Tafe NSW when they are enrolled in a SLES or Community Participation program.

Read some useful information about how TAFE NSW works with service providers and young people who are in the CP program here.

Click on Our Stories on the right hand side of the page or click here to read personal stories about supported options after school.

Choosing a service provider

The website My Choice Matters has a useful list of things to think about when choosing service providers, find it here.

Giant Steps Community College

This is NSW only autism-specific post school service provider. The Community College provides opportunities for young people with high support needs to engage in study and in recreation activities.

Supported options after school

Until the NDIS takes over, each state has a separate system for assisting school leavers and young people with a disability. We have a detailed description of the NSW programs here and below that are links to the programs run in the other states.

In NSW, if your son or daughter is not heading to independent study or to work straight after school, there are two supported programs offered as NDIS-supported options.

One is called Community Participation and the other is School Leaver Employment Supports.

If your child’s school learning support teachers think he or she would benefit from support after school, they will be able to assist you with more details on the options and on application.

We have included some information below about the programs and some feedback from parents whose children have undertaken these programs.

Community Participation

This program is aimed at young people with moderate to high support needs who are not planning to seek employment or further study straight after school. Young people learn new skills and enjoy activities which aim to increase independence.

You can start a Community Participation program straight after school or within two years of leaving. You can work or study part time whilst doing a Community Participation program.

24 hours of support is offered to people with moderate to high support needs and 30 hours to people with very high support needs.

Some service providers may charge a small fee to participants. There are different options for the way a Community Participation program may operate:

Centre Based With Community Access

You participate in small group activities at a centre and within the local community.

Individual Community Based Options

A service manager assists you to choose activities within the community.

Self Managed Model

You and your family/carers select and purchase recreational and educational activities with the help of an intermediary service provider.

You can use the money allocated to employ people to work with you, to pay for classes and courses and to do other activities that you enjoy.

Young people doing Community Participation have an Individual Plan which looks at their goals, skills, the activities they will do and the supports needed. Health and wellbeing goals are an important part of your child’s Plan. This is reviewed every six months.

How to apply

To apply for this program as a school leaver:

Register interest at school which should have a designated transition teacher

With the transition teacher, and a parent or carer if desired, the young person completes a screening tool. This asks questions about daily living skills, behaviour and functioning. ADHC uses the results of this screening tool to determine whether he or she can access Community Participation

Once the young person has been accepted as eligible, they need to start the program within two years. If the application is successful then a provider needs to be chosen. If the application is unsuccessful, the young person does have the right to appeal

Choose a Program provider. The school transition teacher can help, you and your young person may be able to attend an expo where providers can explain in person what they offer. (Read about one and see some photos here.)

Start the Program. This involves developing a Plan which looks at goals, skills and support needs and then develops methods and strategies for goals to be achieved. This Plan is reviewed to see how skills are developing and whether the young person is gaining the skills and experience needed. It is possible to change providers during the two years of your program.

Young people may also be able to access support from Tafe NSW when they are enrolled in a SLES or Community Participation program.

Read some useful information about how TAFE NSW works with service providers and young people who are in the CP program here.

Click on Our Stories on the right hand side of the page or click here to read personal stories about supported options after school.

Choosing a service provider

The website My Choice Matters has a useful list of things to think about when choosing service providers, find it here.

Giant Steps Community College

This is NSW only autism-specific post school service provider. The Community College provides opportunities for young people with high support needs to engage in study and in recreation activities.